My Nudie Jeans Obsession!

As anyone will tell you, jeans is probably the single hardest clothing item to shop for. Perhaps due to its undisptued position as the most popular casual wear item, consumers have been bombarded with unlimited amounts of jeans brands, style, wash and colour.

I myself have tried a great many number of jeans before I found THE ONE :-). It's the Slim Jim cut from Nudie Jeans. It's a Swedish denim company who has become famous among denim enthusiasts for their raw Japanese raw denim. I purchased my first pair of Nudie jeans 3 years ago and wore it regularly for the first 8 months to properly break it in (I know it sound gross but it actually has been scientifically proven that it's perfectly fine hygiene). I have since added 4 more pairs of Nudie to my collection.

All this is to say that you should try to find the perfect pair of jeans for you and stick with it. I highly recommend indigo raw denim and wear it for at least 6 months without washing and you will see your jeans personalized specifically to your body and lifestyle.

My First Levi's

Everyone knows that Levi's is known for their long history of making jeans (since 1873 to be exact) and I think it's especially great that they make affordable quality jeans in the age of $300+ denim. I personally have heard a lot from people about how much they love their Levi's (in particular the overhyped and gigantic 501 model) and have been on the hunt for a pair. I have tried on countless pairs of Levi's and have yet to find a pair ... until today!

It's a pair of blue Levi's Skinny 511 Skyscaper. I like the classic blue wash and the fit is great - fitted but not severely skinny, similar to Nudie Slim Jim. If you want the super skinny fit, you want to check out their 510 model. Considering that Levi's is mass brand, I was amazed that I had go a size bigger in the waist than normally. I have been wearing them since I got home today and I am already thinking about getting them in other colours (gray, black, raw denim, cords, etc.) Okay, maybe I should wear these new ones for a bit first :-)

Photo courtesy of Levi's

The Raw Denim Path

Jeans is probably one of the most popular and yet most difficult to buy items of clothing in most people's wardrobe. After a sad period of time in the late 1990s - early 2000s where people went all ridiculous with their falling-to-pieces ripped and over-designed jeans (Rock & Republic: I am talking to you!), the raw denim trend was a welcoming change where jeans return to their basic roots.

I personally have many pairs of jeans but only a few of them get worn very often. My favourite is still the raw denim Nudie Slim Jim I purchased 2 years ago. They are of great quality Japanese denim and have soften over time as they get worn. Other than Nudie, I also have tried Dr. Denim, Cheap Monday, Naked and Famous but none has fitted me as nicely as Nudie does.

Whatever brand of raw denim you buy though, there are few key things to remember. I came across this guide here that would be of great help if you want to get the most out of your raw denim. Give it a try and whatever you do, try to hold off from washing in the first 6 months (I was able to exceeded 6 months before my first wash - Don't judge me!).

Photo courtesy of ssense.com